Report on the examiniation of annual reports: No.1 of 1998
Members of the Committee
CHAIR DEPUTY MEMBERS
Senator
A.B. Ferguson, LP (South Australia)
Senator J. Collins, ALP
(Victoria)
Senator
M. Bishop, ALP (Western Australia)
Senator
H.G.P Chapman, LP (South Australia)
Senator
A. Murray, AD (Western Australia)
Senator
J.O.W. Watson, LP (Tasmania)
SUBSTITUTE MEMBER
Senator Crane to substitute
for Senator Watson on matters covered by the Workplace Relations and Small
Business portfolio.
PARTICIPATING
MEMBERS
Senator
E. Abetz, LP (Tasmania)
Senator
R.L.D. Boswell, NPA (Queensland)
Senator
B. Brown, AG (Tasmania)
Senator
G. Campbell, ALP (New South Wales)
Senator
B. Collins, ALP (Northern Territory)
Senator
M. Colston, Ind. (Queensland)
Senator
S. Conroy, ALP (Victoria)
Senator
P. Cook, ALP (Western Australia)
Senator
B. Cooney, ALP (Victoria)
Senator
J.P. Faulkner, ALP (New South Wales)
Senator
B. Harradine, Ind. (Tasmania)
Senator
K. Lundy, ALP (Australia Capital Territory)
Senator
S.Mackay, ALP (Tasmania)
Senator
D.Margetts, GWA (Western Australia)
Senator
S. Murphy, ALP (Tasmania)
Senator
B.J. Neal, ALP (New South Wales)
Senator
K. O'Brien, ALP (Tasmania)
Senator
C. Schacht, ALP (South Australia)
Senator
N. Sherry, ALP (Tasmania)
COMMITTEE
SECRETARIAT
Secretary
Robert Diamond
Research Officer
Stuart Rendell
Address
The Secretary
Senate
Economics Legislation
Committee
Parliament
House
Canberra
ACT 2600
Phone:
(06) 277 3540
Fax:
(06) 277 5719
Annual Reports referred
This report was prepared
pursuant to a resolution of the Senate of 24 August 1994[1], and subsequent amendment
of 1 May 1996[2],
relating to the consideration of annual reports by Committees.
The Senate Economics
Legislation Committee is responsible for the examination of annual reports
within the Portfolios of the Treasury, Industry, Science and Tourism and
Workplace Relations and Small Business.
The Committee has examined
the following annual reports tabled between 1 July and 30 December 1997, and is
pleased to state that, in accordance with the Senate resolution of 24 August
1994, all reports are apparently satisfactory.
Treasurer's Portfolio
Australia and the Asian
Development Bank
Australia and the
International Monetary Fund
Australia and the World
Bank
Australian Accounting
Standards Board
Australian Bureau of
Statistics
Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission
Australian Securities
Commission
Australian Statistics
Advisory Council
Commissioner of Taxation
Companies Auditors and
Liquidators Disciplinary Board
Companies and Securities
Advisory Committee
Corporations and
Securities Panel
Council of Financial
Supervisors
Development Allowance
Authority
Economic Planning
Advisory Commission
Export Finance and
Insurance Corporation
Industry Commission
National Competition
Council
Pooled Development Funds
Registration Board
Reserve
Bank of Australia
Royal Australian Mint
Superannuation
Complaints Tribunal
Treasury
Workplace Relations and
Small Business Portfolio
Affirmative Action
Agency
Coal Mining Industry
(Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation
Comcare Australia,
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and QWL Corporation Pty Ltd.
Defence Force
Remuneration Tribunal
Department of Industrial
Relations
Employment Advocate
National Industrial
Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
National Occupational
Health and Safety Commission
Safety Review Committee
Seafarers Safety,
Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare)
Stevedoring Industry
Finance Committee
Industry, Science and
Tourism Portfolio
Advisory Panel on the
Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula
Anti-Dumping Authority
Australian Customs Service
Australian Institute of
Marine Science
Australian Maritime
Safety Authority
Australian Nuclear
Science and Technology Organisation
Australian Science,
Technology and Engineering Council
Australian Sports
Commission
Australian Sports Drug
Agency
Australian Tourist
Commission
ANL Limited
Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation
Department of Industry,
Science and Tourism
Industry, Research and
Development Board
Insurance and
Superannuation Commission
Genetic Manipulation
Advisory Committee
National Standards
Commission
Method of Assessment
The reports have been
examined by the Committee in accordance with the following guidelines:
- for
portfolio departments, the Revised Annual Report Requirements for Departments,
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, March 1994;
- for
statutory authorities, the Guidelines for the Content, Preparation and
Presentation of Annual Reports by Statutory Authorities[3]; and
- for
non statutory bodies, the guidelines contained in the Government response to
the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration Report on
Non-Statutory bodies.[4]
Comments on Individual Reports
TREASURER'S PORTFOLIO
The
Treasury
The
Treasury annual report for the period 1996/97 has been produced in accordance
with the Requirements for Departmental Annual Reports[5].
The report is both informative and comprehensive and provides the reader with a
thorough account of the year's activities.
Royal
Australian Mint
The
Royal Australian Mint annual report for 1996/97 is a good account of the Mint's
activities over the past financial year. The report is direct, to the point and
provides the reader with useful information concerning the areas of marketing,
yearly operations, staff and management issues. The report covers all of the
Mint's reporting requirements.
TREASURER'S PORTFOLIO - Statutory Authorities
Australia
and the Asian Development Bank
The
report on Australia and the Asian Development Bank for 1996/97 has been
produced in accordance with the reporting requirements of statutory
authorities. The Committee was pleased to note the thorough descriptions of the
financial and management policies in place with Australia and the Asian
Development Bank, thus more than adequately fulfilling the reporting
requirement in this area.
Australian
and the International Monetary Fund
The
report of Australia and the IMF for the period 1 May 1996 to 30 April 1997 is
in accordance with the reporting requirements of statutory authorities. The
committee was pleased to note that the report, while brief, covers all the
necessary areas of reporting to a high standard.
Australia
and the World Bank
The
annual report of Australia and the World Bank for 1996/97 has been produced in
accordance with the requirements of statutory authorities. As with the report
of Australian and the International Monetary Fund, the Committee was pleased to
note the report covered all the necessary areas of reporting to a high
standard.
Australian
Accounting Standards Board
The
Australian Accounting Standards Board annual report for 1996/97 has been
completed in accordance with the reporting Guidelines for the content
preparation and presentation of annual reports by statutory authorities.
The committee was please to note that all requirements have been met to an
appropriate standard.
Australian
Bureau of Statistics
The
Australian Bureau of Statistics is an agency whose head has the status of a
departmental secretary and therefore must adhere to the reporting requirements
of government departments.
The
Bureau's annual report for 1996/97 has been produced in accordance with the Requirements
for Departmental Annual Reports. The committee was pleased to note that all
requirements have been fulfilled and that the Bureau has produced an extensive
and thorough report. The Committee also congratulates the Bureau on the section
of its report, Review on Components. This section provides the reader
with a good, brief commentary of the Bureau's activities for the year.
Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission
The
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has produced a very
comprehensive and informative document for the 1996/97 reporting period. The
report is extremely thorough in reporting the Commission's activities over the
past financial reporting year.
Australian
Securities Commission
The
Australian Securities Commission has produced a very informative document
reporting on the 1996/97 financial year. The report gives a good description of
the Commission's functions and objectives in a well presented document. The
Committee was pleased with the Commission's use of cross-referencing within the
report, providing easy navigation for the reader. The Committee did, however,
note the absence of a letter of transmission from the Commission to the
Treasurer, and suggests this be included in future reports.
Australian
Statistics Advisory Council
The
Australian Statistics Advisory Council has produced a brief and informative
report for the 1996/97 reporting period. The report covers the majority of the
Council's reporting requirements, however, the Committee would like the Council
to include a Financial statement for the year's activities in future reports.
The Committee was pleased to note the Council's inclusion of Freedom of Information
and sections on '1996 Census of population and housing' and the 'development of
the Labour cost index'.
Commissioner
of Taxation
The
Taxation Commission is an agency whose head has the status of a departmental
secretary and therefore must adhere to the reporting requirements of government
departments.
The
report of the Commissioner of Taxation for the period 1996/97 has been produced
in accordance with the Requirements for Departmental Annual Reports. The
report is detailed and informative, and the Committee was pleased to note the
Commissioner's inclusion of various aids to access throughout the report
enabling the reader to navigate the large report with ease. All statutory
requirements have been thoroughly met.
Companies
Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board
The
annual report of the Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board
covers all of the relevant statutory reporting requirements. A table of
contents would be a useful addition to future reports.
Companies
and Securities Advisory Committee
The
Companies and Securities Advisory Committee's annual report for the 1996/97
reporting period has been produced in accordance with the appropriate statutory
reporting requirements. The report provides good brief explanations of the
Advisory Committee's strategy, structure, functions and performance for the
reporting year
Corporations
and Securities Panel
The
1997/97 annual report of the Corporation and Securities Panel gives a brief
account of all of the Panel's statutory obligations thus fulfilling reporting
requirements for statutory authorities.
Council
of Financial Supervisors
The
Council of Financial Supervisors' annual report for 1996/97 meets all its
reporting requirements to a high standard.
Development
Allowance Authority
The
Development Allowance Authority annual report for 1996/97 has been produced in
accordance with the relevant statutory reporting requirements. The Authority
has produced an extensive and informative report particularly with regard to
investment and micro-economic reform.
Economic
Planning Advisory Commission
The
Economic Planning Advisory Commission's report for the 1996/97 conforms with
the reporting requirements of statutory authorities. The Committee was pleased
to note the Commission's awareness of its reporting responsibilities listing
responses for all of the statutory requirements, or a nil entry where
appropriate.
Export
Finance and Insurance Corporation
The
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation annual report for 1996/97 is a very
informative and colourful document containing a detailed account of EFIC's
operations for the year and mission for future years. However, the Committee
notes EFIC's failure to include certain information such as a letter of
transmittal, ideally making reference to EFIC's enabling legislation
(addressed to the relevant Minister).
Industry
Commission
The
Industry Commission has again produced a thorough, comprehensive and
informative document for its 1996/97 annual report. In doing so, the Industry
Commission has more than fulfilled its statutory reporting requirements.
Insurance
and Superannuation Commission
The
Insurance and Superannuation Commission has produced a high quality annual
report for the 1996/97 reporting period. The report includes useful navigational
aids including a table of contents, compliance and alphabetical indexes, and
fulfils all statutory reporting requirements.
National
Competition Council
The
National Competition Council has produced its 1996/97 annual report in
accordance with the Requirements for Departmental Annual Reports. As a
statutory authority, the National Competition Council has more than fulfilled
its reporting requirements. The report is informative and expansive.
Pooled
Development Funds Registration Board
The 1996/97 annual
report of the Pooled Development Funds Registration Board has been produced in
accordance with the Board's statutory reporting requirements. The report gives
a brief but adequate account of the Board's membership, program objectives and
program performance for the year.
Reserve Bank of Australia
The
Committee notes that the Reserve Bank of Australia has produced its report for
the 1996/97 reporting period without the economic commentary as contained in
previous annual reports. The Committee agrees with the Reserve Bank of
Australia that the "...four quarterly reports on the economy, the two
appearances before a Parliamentary Committee..." provides an adequate
amount of public information on the Australian economy. The Committee also
understands that it is not a reporting requirement for the Reserve Bank to
include an economic commentary within its annual report.
The
Committee notes the Reserve Bank's failure to include certain reporting
requirements such as a letter of transmission, alphabetical index and
compliance index and suggests that the Reserve Bank of Australia makes a
greater effort to follow statutory authority reporting guidelines for future
annual reports.
The
Committee requests that the Reserve Bank of Australia outline in its next
annual report how corporate management issues involving conflict of interest
are addressed at board level.
Superannuation
Complaints Tribunal
The
1996/97 annual report for the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal has fulfilled
all its statutory reporting requirements. The Committee commends the Tribunal
for the addition of an extensive compliance index.
WORKPLACE RELATIONS AND
SMALL BUSINESS PORTFOLIO
Department
of Industrial Relations
The
Department of Industrial Relations has produced its annual report entirely in
compliance with the Requirements for Departmental Annual Reports. The
Committee also notes the inclusion of a report on the operation of Part V of
the Workplace Relations Act 1996. An erratum to the report was tabled on
18 November 1997 concerning changes to Appendix 9 of the report. While noting
this oversight, the Committee was pleased the department rectified the problem
as soon as possible.
Workplace Relations and
Small Business - Statutory Authorities
Affirmative
Action Agency
The
Affirmative Action Agency has produced an informative report for the period 1
June 1996 to 31 May 1997. The report complies with all the reporting
requirements of statutory authorities. The committee notes the Agency's
comprehensive 'List of graphs and tables', included in the table of contents,
providing the reader with direction to the variety of informative
illustrations.
Australian
Industrial Relations Commission and the Australian Industrial Registry
The
Australian Industrial Relations Commission report for 1996/97 is an informative
document fulfilling the Commission's statutory reporting requirements. The
report is direct and concise, providing the reader with a useful account of the
year's activities.
The
report of the Australian Industrial Registry has been prepared in accordance
with the reporting guidelines for statutory authorities. The Committee is
pleased to note the inclusion of the compliance index in a tabular form that
lists all the reporting requirements of departments.
ANL
Limited
The
ANL Limited report for 1996/97 is a very brief document summarising ANL's
activities for the financial year. ANL also includes in its report brief
sections on Equal Employment Opportunity, Occupational Health and Safety,
Superannuation and a very detailed account of ANL's financial activities during
the year.
Coal
Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation
The
Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation has produced its
report in accordance with the relevant guidelines for statutory authorities.
However, the Committee notes that the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave
Funding) Corporation tabled it report beyond the required deadline. The
Committee was pleased to see that the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave
Funding) Corporation tabled notification of the report's late tabling, together
with an explanation, on 29 October 1997, thereby fulfilling it's statutory
requirement to notify Parliament of the report's delayed presentation.
Comcare
Australia, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and QWL
Corporation Pty Ltd.
Comcare
Australia has produced its report for 1996/97 in accordance with the reporting
guidelines for statutory authorities. The Committee also noted a good
description of Comcare's legislative requirements and useful reporting on
Industrial Democracy, Occupational Heath and Safety, Freedom of Information,
Media and Advertising Expenditure. The report in general is a very
comprehensive and informative document.
Defence
Force Remuneration Tribunal
The
Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal annual report has been produced within the
guidelines of statutory authorities. The Committee found the report to be a
useful summary of the Tribunal's activities for the 1996/97 financial year.
The
report of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal has also been forwarded to
the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee.
Employment
Advocate
The
report of the Office of the Employment Advocate covers the period of 2 January
to 30 June 1997. Despite the Advocate's short existence to date, the report
covers all the reporting requirements for a statutory authority. The Committee
also commends the cross referencing between the report of the Office of the
Employment Advocate and the report of the Department of the Industrial
Relations for the same reporting period.
National
Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
The
National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has
produced its 1996/97 annual report in accordance with the reporting guidelines
for statutory authorities. The Committee notes NICNAS tabled a 'notification of
error' on 18 November 1997, however, the Committee is satisfied that NICNAS
rectified the problem as soon as possible and in an appropriate way.
National
Occupational Health and Safety Commission
The
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's annual report for 1996/97
has been produced in accordance with the relevant statutory reporting
requirements.
Safety
Review Committee
The Safety Review
Committee annual report for 1996/97 fulfils all of the Committee's statutory
reporting requirements. The Safety Review Committee provides informative
reports in the areas of nuclear reactor safety, storage of nuclear material,
heath and safety, emergency planning and waste management.
Seafarers
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare)
The Seafarers Safety,
Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare) annual report for the
1996/97 reporting period has been produced in accordance with the guidelines
for statutory authorities. The Committee notes that Seacare is unable to report
in some areas of its statutory requirements, but was pleased that Seacare noted
the nil entry, displaying to the Committee awareness of the requirement.
Stevedoring
Industry Finance Committee
The Stevedoring Industry
Finance Committee is required to table its financial statements in accordance
with the Guidelines for Financial Statements of Commonwealth Authorities[6]. As a
result the report of the Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee is solely a
report on the financial activities of the Committee for the year ending 30 June
1997.
INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TOURISM
Department
of Industry, Science and Tourism
The
Committee congratulates the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism (DIST)
on an excellent report that fulfils the Department's reporting requirements
comprehensively. DIST's report for the 1996/97 reporting period sets a
benchmark for other departments in their compliance with the Requirements
for Departmental Annual Reports. The report gives a comprehensive account
of the Departments programs throughout the year and provides the reader with a
very informative reader friendly document.
Industry Science and Tourism - Statutory
Authorities
Anti-Dumping
Authority
The
Anti-Dumping Authority's annual report for 1996/97 has been produced in
accordance with its statutory reporting requirements. The Authority gives a
good description of its operations during the reporting year. The Committee appreciated
the writing style of the report, with a slight hint of humour making the report
enjoyable to read yet informative for those readers not familiar with dumping
matters.
Australian
Customs Service
The
Australian Customs Service fulfils all departmental reporting requirements in
presenting its report for the 1996/97 financial year. The Committee was
pleased with the exhaustive nature of the ACS annual report, and commends the
agency in producing an informative and comprehensive document. The report is a
model to other organisations that prepare reports within the guidelines, Requirements
of Departmental Annual Reports.
Australian
Institute of Marine Science
The
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) annual report for 1996/97
satisfies the reporting requirements of statutory authorities. Indeed the
Committee notes the Institute has prepared its report in accordance with Requirements
for Departmental Annual Reports, thus exceeding AIMS' reporting
requirement. Despite the erratum to the report, the Committee notes that AIMS
rectified the error as soon as possible.
Australian
Maritime Safety Authority
The
Australian Maritime Safety Authority has produced its 1996/97 annual report in
accordance with the guidelines for statutory authorities. The Committee found
the report to be authoritative and interesting particularly in relation to
marine environment protection services.
Australian
Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
The
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has fulfilled
all statutory authority reporting requirements in the production of its 1996/97
annual report. The Committee was particularly pleased with ANSTO's description
of its powers, functions and objectives, pursuant to the Australian Nuclear
Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987.
Australian
Science, Technology and Engineering Council
The
Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council has produced its report
for the 1996/97 reporting period in accordance with the requirements of statutory
authorities. The Committee was pleased to note the brief explanations in the
Compliance Index on each of the required reporting areas.
Australian
Sports Commission
The
Australian Sports Commission report for the 1996/97 reporting period has been completed
in accordance with the reporting requirements of statutory authorities. The
Commission's annual report is an informative document reporting on the many and
varying sports funded by the Federal Government.
Australian
Sports Drug Agency
The
Australian Sports Drug Agency report for 1996/97 has been produced in
accordance with the guidelines for statutory authorities. The Committee was
pleased to note ASDA's illustrated awareness of the requirements and importance
agencies have in accounting to parliament. The report has been produced with an
extensive Table of Contents providing the reader with an excellent navigational
tool.
Australian
Tourist Commission
The
Australian Tourist Commission's annual report for the 1996/97 reporting period
has been produced within the reporting requirements of statutory authorities.
The report gives a thorough account of the Commission's activities throughout
the year, in addition to reports of the various tourist markets.
Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
The
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has
produced its report for 1996/97 within the guidelines for statutory
authorities. The CSIRO has produced a very comprehensive and informative report
stating many of its positive developments in the areas of science and
technology.
Industry,
Research and Development Board
The
Industry, Research and Development Board has produced its annual report for the
1996/97 reporting period within the guidelines for statutory authorities. The Board has produced an informative
account of its activities over the financial year.
Genetic
Manipulation Advisory Committee
The Genetic Manipulation
Advisory Committee's report for the 1996/97 reporting period has been produced
in accordance with the appropriate statutory reporting requirements. The
Advisory Committee provides good account of its structure and objectives, in
addition to its performance during the reporting year. The report more than
meets the necessary reporting requirements.
National
Standards Commission
The National Standards
Commission has produced a very high quality report for 1996/97, conforming to
the guidelines for statutory authorities. The committee commends the Standards
Commission for its thorough approach.
Industry Science and Tourism - Non-Statutory
Authorities
Advisory
Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula
The committee
is pleased to note that the Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of
Infant Formula has produced its report within the reporting requirements of
statutory authorities.
This
report has also been referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation
Committee.
A.B.
Ferguson
Chairman
Appendix 1
Allocation
of annual reports of Commonwealth bodies to the Senate
Economics Legislation Committee (as at 20 March 1998)
Treasurer's Portfolio
Australia and
the Asian Development Bank
Australia and
the World Bank
Australian
Accounting Standards Board
Australian
Bureau of Statistics
Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission
Australian
Securities Commission
Australian
Statistics Advisory Council
Commissioner of
Taxation
Commonwealth
Bank
Companies and
Securities Advisory Committee
Companies
Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board
Corporations and
Securities Panel
Council of
Financial Supervisors
Department of
the Treasury
Development
Allowance Authority
Economic
Planning Advisory Commission
Foreign
Investment Review Board
Housing Loans
Insurance Corporation
Industry
Commission
Insurance and
Superannuation Commission
International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (General Capital Increase)
Act 1989
International
Monetary Agreements Act 1947 (Australia and the International
Monetary Fund)
National
Competition Council
Reserve Bank of
Australia
Royal Australian
Mint
Superannuation
Complaints Tribunal
Industry, Science and
Tourism Portfolio
Advisory Panel
on the Marketing of Infant Formula
Anti-Dumping
Authority
Australian
Customs Service
Australian
Industrial Property Organisation
Australian
Industry Development Corporation
Australian
Institute of Marine Science
Australian
Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Australian
Science, Technology and Engineering Council
Australian Space
Council
Australian
Sports Commission
Australian
Tourist Commission
Automotive
Industry Authority
Bureau of
Tourism Research
Clean Food
Marketing Australia Ltd
Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Department of
Industry, Science and Tourism
Genetic Manipulation
Advisory Committee
Export Finance
and Insurance Corporation
Industry
Research and Development Board
Management and
Investment Companies Licensing Board
National
Standards Commission
Pooled
Development Funds Registration Board
Safety Review Committee
(ANSTO)
Report on Small
Business in Australia
Textiles,
Clothing and Footwear Development Authority
Workplace Relations and
Small Business portfolio
Affirmative
Action Agency
Australian Industrial Relations Commission and
the Australian Industrial Registry
Australian
National Line Limited (ANL)
Coal Mining
Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation
Comcare
Defence Force
Remuneration Tribunal
Department of Workplace Relations and Small
Business
Developments made under Industrial Relations
Act 1988
Industrial Chemicals (Notification and
Assessment) Act 1989
National Occupational Health and Safety
Commission (Worksafe Australia)
Remuneration
Tribunal
Seafarers
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (SEACARE)
Stevedoring
Industry Finance Committee
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